Sealed can testing machine



SePt- .21, 1937- F.-G. Foss 2,093,429

SEALED CAN T'ESTING MACHINE Filed June 24, 1933 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTOR Sept. 21, 1937. F G, Foss 2,093,429

SEALED CAN TESTING MACHINE Filed June 24, 1935 4 sheets-sheet INVENTOR ATTORNEYS Sept. 2l, 1937.

F. G. Foss 2,093,429 SEALED CAN TESTING MACHINEl Fiied June 24, 1933 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 7g A 7X l |NvENToR /42 /j/ Z/' /f/ /Z/ /4/ /jf W BY Sem., 2, w37: F, FOS-S 2,0%429 lSEALED CAN TESTING MACHINE ATTORNEYS Patented sept. 21, 1937 PA'rlzlsi'r OFFICE SEALED CAN TESTING MACHINE Fred G. Foss, Hillside, N. 1. assignor to American Can Company, New York, N. Y.,'a corporation of New Jersey Application June 24, 1933, Serial No. 677,506

4Claims.

@The present invention relates to sealed can test- 'ing machines and has particular reference to machines for testing cans which have been previously sealed in vacuumfsuch cans maintaining 5 a substantial part of their vacuous condition as long as they are tight but losing all or part of theirv vacuum when they are leaky. The degree of loss of vacuum depends upon the size of the leak and the timeithe cans have leaked, and in all of such cases atmospheric air passes into the sealed cans-through the leaks and destroys or disturbs the vacuum.

The, present invention contemplates conning a flexible metallic part of the can under test, usually l an end by holding it in a testing head and the atmospheric pressure is\t\hen removed from the outside face of the end. v'le end may iiex out-l wardly at such a time while is indicative of a sealed can there will be no m' vement ofthe end. The interior of a'leaky can a such time by reason of the air which has entered through the leak may be caused to contain an air` pressure which exerts its force against the inner'face of the flexible part to bulge or flex it outwardly.

The testing machine beineonsidered utilizesv this iiexing movement by lhavi "g the end move into engagement with two electric contacts in the testing head and the metallic end provides an elec-4 tric path and bridges the gap electrically speaking between the contactsand closes an electric circuit for the ilow of eletrical energy. 'llhis electrical energy provides proper indication of the lealqr condition of the can and in one embodiment operates a relay for separating the leaky from the good cans.

llt-is an object, therefore, of the-present invention to provide a machine simple in Aconstruc tion and simple in operation which utilizes a ilow of electric?, energy as an indicator di leaky conditions'in the sealed can under test, such an electric current utilizing the can part' as a bridge between 'contacts which,- until such a bridge is formed by a ilexinglcan end of a leaky can, serves as a gap or break and whilethis break obtains the electric .testing energy is non-existent. In

other wordsJ there is no ilow of electric energy as long as the cans are good and tight.

. The automatic separation after testing of thetacts in the head in order to effect the test. This leak or where, the vacuum still obtains in the Vprovision` makes possible an extremely accurate test gage which may be adjusted so that a predetermined and exact maximum of pressure may be used for the division point of pressure allowable in the can to be considered as a good can.

Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent as it is better understood from the following description, which, taken in connection with' the accompanying drawings. discloses a preferredl embodiment thereof.

Referring to the drawings: f'

Figure 1 is a longitudinal, vertical section partially shown inl elevationof an apparatus adapted forptesting sealed vacuumized cans and embodying the present invention;

gs. 2, 3 and 4 are plan sectional views taken su stantially along the respective broken lines 2 3-3 and 'I-l in Fig. 1, Fig. Zalso showwiring diagram of the electric circuit used in th \apparatus; Y A

Figi is an enlarged sectional view of the testing he d being taken substantially along the line 5-5 inii'lig. 2 and illustrating a sealed can prior to insertien into testing position within the head;

Fig.9isasecti nal detailofthecanseparating devices being tak n substantially along the line v9--9 in Fig..10; I

Fig. 10 is a sectional plan' view taken substantially along the line III-I0 in Hg. 8;' and Figs. 11, 12 and 13 are sectional details of various parts of the can separating device being taken substantially along the-respective lines IIII, i2-i2 and I3-I3 inFig. 10, Fig. 12 being part a schematic` develtpment as would be found if its section were I2-I2 in Fig. 10. K' 1 The testing head indicated in Fig. 1 by the numeral 2| may be suitably supported so that one endofasealedcannmaybeinsertedin the head for testing. This head 2l is held in iixed position on a bracket 23 extending outwardly from a frame column 2l which rtsupon a base 25. The testing head is above ahorizontal table 28 (see also Fig-3) which is supported upon.

a bracket 29 secured to the column frame 2l. It is over this table 28 that thecans 22 are moved iirst into testing position and thence oit -theendofthetableintoagoodcandischarge lane or aleaky can discharge lane according to the condition .of the can as determined bythe test.

A conveyor chain 35 (Fiss. 1 and-3) propelsv ing drawn to an enlarged scale and taken along the broken line "the can over the table andoperates ahorison- 'end of a vertical man nous s, 4 and s).

Shaft 42isiournaledinabearing42 formedin thetable 22 andinabearinguformedina sub-table".

'lhesub-table 4l'supportedfrom andislocated beneath the table n' andpmvides the supporting frame for'the can separating unit. A pairofspacingrodsaresecuredattheirtop ends into the table 22 and provide the hanging S3 mounted upon a verticalshaft I4 located in the column (see alsoFig. 1).

shaftulsiournaledin't'wolowerbearingsll and l formed on bracket arms Il. Il extending inwardly from the front wall of the column frame 24. The upper end of the shaft is journaled in a bearing." which is formed in a cover plate l2 bolted to and resting upon the upper end of the column.'

The shaft I4 also carries aworm gear 02 which meshes with a worm I4 carried on a horiaontal drive shaft Il. Shaft il is Journaled in bearings 4l formed in the top of the column frame 24 and is rotated in any suitable manner as by application of power to a drive pulley I1 mounted on the rear end of the shaft outside of the column. The driveshaft BI is adapted for continuous rotation and by.reason of the connections described the shaft v42 is similarly actuated to continuously move the conveyor chain 2i.

Sealed cans 22 which have been previously vacuumisedandwhicharetobetestedinthe machine are positioned upon the left end of the table 2l (as viewed in Fig. 3) and are moved between horisontal spaced guide bars 1| which hold themin astright lineoftravelastheyare moved Ftrs bythe conveyorchain Il. ll'orthispurposeupwardlyextending fingers or lugs 12 are carried bycertainlinksofthechainllandoneofthese lugs moving around the sprocket 21 engagmbehindacanasitrestsuponthetablenandmovs Aitwlll'dthelltililtltlll. Directlybeneath thetestinghead 2| andin' Provided for-madin brackets Il extending outwardly from thefrontweloftheoolumnu. "meheadllandrodl'lareraisedandlowered 'Y finsynchronlnnwiththemovementdtheoonveyorchaintisothatasacanisbrohtev-:r theheadthelatterisraisedtoliftthecaninto -thetesting head'2l. 'lhis action can .upalomgsideofand then abovethe lug 12 ofthe. conveyor chainV which then m W the elevated can and through the slotted portion 'It of the head. v v

The head 1l carries top plates 85, these plates being separated from each other so as not to interfere with the open slot of the head. Each plate 8i is formed with a short hooked -can guide rail l2 and as the canmoves over the headllandontotheuppersurfaceoftheplates 84 its extending bottom seam is engaged under these hooked sections. This provides holding elements for the can as it is raised into testing position with the ascending head 1l.

Therodll earrlesacollarl (Fig. l) whichls pivotallysecuredattooneend ofalinkl! which at its lower end is pivoted at 94 to one arm of a lever 95. The lever 9B is mounted on a horizontal rock shaft 8l which is supported by and which rocks in bearings 91 formed in the front wall of the column 24.

The level II has also an arm |0| which, extends through an opening |02 cut in the face oi the column 24 and this arm' carries a stud |02 on which is rotatably mounted a roller |04. The roller |44 operates in a groove |05 formed'in a barrel cam |24 which is pinned to the lower end of the shaft 54. Rocking of the lever 95 thrcugh" the medium of the cam |06 Just described imparts the proper timed movement for lifting the rod 11 and the head 15 with the sealed can.

The head 2| is preferably formed with a body Ill (Figs. 1 and 5) which is bolted at to the flange of a supporting collar ||2 which is in turn carried on the lower` end of a stationary shaft IIS. It is the shaft |,l3 that is held Within the bracket 22, a collar ||4 pinned to the upper end of the shaft and resting upon the upper part of the bracket, providing the necessary locking A engagement for the shaft.

terial suchl as Bakelite, porcelain or the like and held in its seat by screws |22.. The disc |22 is centrally apertured at |24 and is counter-bored at |25 to provide a seat for a ilanged bushing This bushing extends through the opening and projects beneath the lower surface of the disc |22 (see also Figs. 6 and 7) and its lower end is threaded'at |21. Aclampingdisc |24 isthreadedly secured on this end of the bushing and its .upper surface engages the llower surface of the disc |22, the bushing |2l being pulled into tight engagement with the disc and locking these parts tosether a's a unit.

The disc |22 is cut away on its lower face to provide an annular seat |2| inwhlch a rubber washer |22 is disposed.l This'washer adjacent its outer edgeisseciu'elvhcldby a clamping ring |22 whichthreadedly engages at |22 with arededthreadedlowerendofthebody Ill.

Thecan22whichisinsertedinthetesting headbythecanliftllisprovidedwithanupper exible metallic end |4| (A 5,6and'l) which maybeioin'edtothebody ofthecaninany suitable mannerasbytheususlextendeddouble'seam |42. Itisthetopedgeorrimofthis seam |42 thatengageswiththewasher |22 when theupperendnrtneeanuinrtedinthetm inghead 2|, the can being movedl into the inside oftheclampingxing|22.andthisgivesan1m restricted freedom of movement to the entire end,thefullnexing.ofwhichresultsinagreater accuracyoftest.'

-Ifthoretaincdvaomminagoodcanbeing tested is sumciently high its, flexible end |4| may be pulled in as shown in Fig. 5. When such a can is under test with its seam |42 securely clamped against the washer |32, the end |4| will usually remain bowed inwardly as shown by the dot and dash lines in Fig. 6. In many good cans, however, 'there will not be an inward bowing of the end, this being a matter of degree as to what the inside condition of the can is and therefore the absence ofthe inward bow of the end does not mean necessarily that the can is leaky.

The insulating4 disc |22 is forxred with an annular groove |45 (Fig. 5) which may be cut in the upper surface of the disc, this groove being closed in an air-tight joint at its top -by the bottom face of the body |10. The annular groove |45 may be connected withradial ports |45 (see also Figs. 6 and 7) which extend toward the center of the disc, these ports terminating adjacent the outer periphery of the shouldered bushing |25. Vertical slots |41 are out inthe threaded pa'rt |21 of the bushing |25 vand the upper end of these slots communicate with the inner ends of the ports |46.

The lower ends of the withthe Aspace above the can en'd |4| and beneath the surface of disc |28. It is through these slots, ports and grooves that air is removed from this space as it is vacuumized for the testing operation. As to the vacuumizing action this space acts as a vacuum chamber within the head and will be so described. It will be understood that a new chamber is thus formed each time a can is inserted. The numeral |48 designates such)a vacuum chamber. This is -vacuumized in the' following manner.

A horizontal bore |5| (Fig. 5) is cut into one side of the body and provides a seat for the reduced in ner end |52 of a valve body |53. This valve body extends radially of the head 2|, its reduced end iltting tightly in the bore so that there will be no leakage of air. The valve body is centrally apertured and a valve |54 has sliding movement in the body and at the same time maintains an air-tight t during such movement.

The valve carries a pin |55 (Figs. 2 and 5) at its outer end'which provides pivotal connection v for one end of a link |55. The outer end of the link is pivotally connected'at |51 to one 'arm of a lever |58 which rocks backand forth ona stud |58 carried in a bracket |5| extending outwardly and to one side ofthe column frame 24.

The opposite end of the lever |58 is pivotally connected at |82 to an' adjustable connecting rod |53 (see also Fig. 1) which provides connection with an eccentric strap |84. The strap 54 surrounds and operates on an eccentric |55 carried by the vertical shaft' 54.

The valve |54 is in its outward position when the can is being brought into the testing head 2| as illustrated in Fig. 5. '111e annular groove. |45 connects, at one side of the testing head body ||0 and through afport |11, with the bore Isl. This port |1| communicates with a similar opening |12 cut through the inner sleeve section |52 of the valve body |58, this opening |12 communicating with a chamber |18 formed in the testing head body |||i at the end of the valveV |54.

A central horizontal port |15 is formed in the -inner end of the valve, its inner end being open slots |41 communicate nectsl with avent port |11 cut inthe lower part of the valve body |58. During insertion oi.' the can 22 into the tester head the communicating slots, ports or passageways |41, |46, |45, |1|, |12', |13, |15l |18 and |11 are open to atmosphere and air in a balanced condition lies therein.

With the can 22 clamped in the testing head (Fig. 6) the valve |54 is moved inwardly b`y the eccentric |55 just described and the port |15 is moved out of register with the port |11 thus cutting oif communication with the outside atmosphere. In the innermost position of the valve a second radial` port |8| (Fig. 5) in-the valve member which also connects with its central port |15, comes into communication with a port |82 cut in the valve body |53, this being directlyabove the port |11. A This port |82 is connected with a' suitable source of vacuum indicated here as a pipe |88, the interior of which is under vacuumized conditions at all times. As soon asregistration between the ports |8| and |82 takes place, the air within the various slots, ports and passageways just considered is exhausted. At the same time air is removed from the vacuum chamber |48 (Fig. 6) habove the flexible can end |4|. -v

In this manner atmospheric pressure is removed from the outer face of the ilexible end |4| and in the event that the sealed can 22 is a good can there will be'substantially a balanced condition between the two outside and inside flexihle end surfaces and the end wall will remain in its will be again lowered from its clamped position by a return movement of the lift head 15. Prior to thisl return movement, however, the valve |54 will be again drawn out to its former position and atmospheric air will be restored to the vac.- uum chamber |48 or spaceabove the can end Vand the can will be free to move downwardly with the descending lift head.' Y

This good can which has just been tested returns to the surface of the table 28 directly in front of the next of the conveyor lugs or fingers 12 which thereupon engages behind and-sweeps the can toward the left end of the table (Fig. 3). The 'can is now guided between spaced guide lrails |9| which are in alignment with and form ex- Y Atensions of -the guide rails 1|.

The inner guide rail |8| is bent around the shaft 42 as at |92 and then merges into a. reverse bend |98 extending on into astraight guide section |84. The outer guide rail |8| is bent `outwardly at |85 where it merges into a straight section |85. vThe good tested can still being conveyed by the conv veyor chain is caused to follow the curved of the inner guide'rail |8| to hold a can width vof passage and to direct the can around theshaft 28| and into a good can lane. The good can lane is set oif by the guide rail 'section |84 and a guide rail 288 spaced from it.

As longas the cans coming from the testing position are good cans, the switch |81 remains in the position illustrated 'in full linesin Fig.. 3

and these cans are directed into the good can lane and pass between the guide rails |24, 222. This position of the switch, it will be remembered,

is the.- passive result of the lack of closing of aV 'switch actuating electric circuit at the testing head. When a can is leaky, however, conditions are entirely different as will now be pointed` out.

A leaky can is one which has lost all-or a part of its vacuum and lthe leaking of air through the leaks presents a condition of internal pressure which when the can is put under test by removal of air from the chamber' |42, overbalances the small' or the minus pressure on the up-` per face of the flexible end. The end thereupon ilexes or buiges outwardly into the 'position shown in full lines in Fig. 1.

A movable button contact 2| |l (Figs. 6 and 7l rests in a pocket 2|2 formed in the disc |22. The lower end .of this contact is formed. with l'a rounded point 2|2 which extends down into the chamber space |42 over the top or flexible end |4| of the can 22. It is backed up by an enclosed spring2|4, the upper end o f which rests against a circular plate 2|2 inserted in the top of the disc |22. The plate 2|2 closes off the pocket 2|2.

A wire 2|2 is electrically connected with this plate which electrically connects. through the spring 2|4 and through the body of the disc |22, with the movable contact 2||. The wire 2|2 is l insulated from the body H2 and is contained in a channel 2|1 cut in the insulated disc |22 and in a port 2|2 (Fig. .5) and in a chamber 2|2 formed in the tester body H2. This wire 2|2' and its movable contact 2| l, provide one sidev of the electric switch actuating circuit previously referred to.

The spring,2|4 of the contact 2|I is relatively light and the ilexible end |4| of the can 22 whether or not it bulges engages and holds against the contact as long as the can is, in the testing head.- This insures a good electrical engagement between the contactpoint 2|2 and the Acan end wall but the spring Vis not vsulciently strong to offerany appreciable restriction to the exing of the end.

A second nxed and adjustable contact is also 4through the chamber 2|2.

'Ihe lower end of the sleeve 22| is internally threaded for a contact member 222 which may be held at diiferent heights relative to the-sleeve 22| and tothe inserted can topor end |4|. By. turning of the contact member thedesired adiusted height is secured and the member is then locked ini y position by a bolt 222 which threadedly engages in the post 222. v

'n wmbeobservedbynfemngtomJmd' .1that thefixedcontact member' 222'issoposietionedastorequireaflexingoroutwardbending o! the end l|4| before it is engaged. When the contact is farther away from the can end or higher in the rhead a greater flexing, action is required to cause engagement' kBy adjusting for thisrequiredflexinggreataccuracymaybehad astothe amountofpressureneededinthecan under test before that particular can is consideredaleakycan. Inthiswaythetestingelements may be set to pass a can as good which .switch 222 connected to a wire 2,24. The wire 224 connects with one side o! the coil windingfof a'solenoid 222 (see Fig. 13 for details) which is closely associated with the controls for actuation of the switch |21.l

The other side of the coil windings of the solenoid v222 connects with the wire 222 from the testing head. With the service switch 222 closed it will be observed that the circuit is incomplete as long as there is a gap between the contacts 2| 222 but when these contacts are electrically connected by' the ilexed metallic can end |4| the circuit'is completed. Electrical energy owing through the circuit then energizes the solenoid 222. A core pin 222 in the solenoid (Fig. 13) is thereupon lifted from the position shown in that figure and the result of such lifting action of the 4pin will now be considered in connection with the control parts relating to movement of the switch |21.

The switch |21 is connected to the upper end of the shaft 2||| where it extends above the table 22, the upper end of this shaft being journaled ln a bearing 24| (Fig. 8). The lower end of the shaft is journal'ed in a bearing 242 formed in the sub-table 42 (see also Iilg. 10). 'I'he shaft 22| carries an arm 242 the outer end of which carries a pin 244 which provides a pivotal connection for a block 242 of an adjustable connecting rod 242.

The pin 244 also extends downwardlyy to provide connection for one end of a spring 241, the other end of which is., carried on a i'ixed post 242 positioned in the sub-table.' The spring 241 tends to hold the shaft 22| -so that the switch |21 is in the good can directing position, this being the position illustrated in full lines in Fig. 3. The switch |21 rests against an adjusting bolt 242 which is threadedly secured in a lug 22| extending upwardly Yfrom the table 22. This limits the turning of the shaft 22| under the spring action and holds it so that its curved surface |22 is properly aligned with theinner guiding face of theouter guilderailI g The connecting rod 2 2 (Figs. 2'and 10) also carries a block 222 at its opposite end and is pivfotally-connected Aat 222 with an arm 221 of of the pin 22| and hold'it in proper position. The l lever 222 is also formed with an arm 21| which extends outand over a drum 212 mounted for rotation on the sub-table 42.

The drum 212 is rotatably held on a aus su ma. 12) which wenn s boss :14 formed inthesub-tablebeingheldinxedpositionlrya nut 212 threadedly :ecured tothe lower end of the stud. "lhedrumcontinwusly rotatesaslong 'asthete'stingmachineisoperatingandtoeifect its rotation it is formed with gear teeth 212 which mesh with a pinion 211 (Figs. 9 and 10) Vcarried 'on the shaft'l42.

The drum 212 carries three headed pins 28| (Figs. 10 and 12) which are vertically and slidably disposed in spaced bores formed in the drum and each pin has two vertical positions within the disc. In the low position (as illustrated in Fig. 12) the head of the pin 28| is entirely beneath the upper surface of the drum and as long as the pin is in this position it will pass under and will not engage the arm 21| of the lever 258 as it is carried around by the drum. A

This is the position of a pin 28| as long .as the associated can being tested is a good can. At such time since there is no electric current flowing through the solenoid235 and no work being done that might disturb the normal balance of parts the pin 28| remains in its lowered position.

In 4this low position the pin 28| is lightly held by a spring detent 282 (Fig. 12) the inner end of which rests within .a depression 283 formed on the adjacent side of the pin.L Each pin is prevented from rotation within its seat bya feather 28| which in no wayrestricts its vertical movement.

Thepin 28| is lifted into its high position when the solenoid 235 is energized and reference-should now be had to Figs. 8, 10 and 13 as this lifting movement is explained. 'Ihe core pin 236 of the solenoid 235 rests on a ledge 29| cut ina block l 292 which 'is secured to the lower part of a solenoid housing 293 in which the solenoid 235 is enclosed. This housing is formed with a foot 29| (Figs. 8 and 10) which rests upon the sub-table being secured in rigid position by bolts 295.

A horizontal lever 296 is disposed on one side of the drum 212, one end 291 of the lever being in the same horizontal plane with thehead of the core pin 236 when this pin rests upon the shoulder 29| (see Fig. 13). 'Ihis lever is mounted on a ver- 'tical shouldered stud 298 (Figs. 9, 10 and 12)- which is threadedly secured in a boss 298 formed in the sub-table 45.

With each half revolution of the shaft 42 the leverl 296 is shifted some on its stud 298 and its end 291' is moved toward the block 292. If the 304 formed ina boss 305 mounted on and turningA can being tested is a good can and the solenoid 235 is deenergized the head of the core pin 236 blocks further movement of the lever 296 and prevents it moving into a position where it would lift one of the pins 28|.

This shift or attempted movement of the lever at each cycle of operation is brought about by an arm 30| which is also pivotally mounted on the stud 298, this arm being located inside of two 4 separated sections of the lever 296 adjacent its end 291y as best illustrated in Fig. 9. The arm 30| carries a stud 302 which supports a cam roller Y303 and this roller lies in the path of one 'of two arms with the shaft 42.

Lever 296 carries an upstanding lug 3|| (Figs. 9 and 10) and the arm 30| carries a similar lug 3|2, these-two lugs being positioned alongside `each other. A spring 3|3 is mounted between the lugs with one end seated in each and this spring provides a yielding connection between the arm 30| and the lever 296. When one of the cam arms 304 engages and moves the roller 303 outwardly it shifts the arm 30| which in turn Atends to similarly shift the lever 296 through the spring connection. If-the head of the core pinv 236 is in position to block thisl movement the springv3|3 yields and permits. full vmovement of the arm while the lever 296 remains stationary.

.In the event that a leaky can under test has closed4 the electric circuit through the solenoid (Figs. 10, 11 and 12) which slips in under the drum and beneath the path of travel of the pin 28| which is being carried around by the rotating drum and which is then approaching that position. y

This advancing pin 28| moves over the' lever end 3|6 and rides up on the inclined surface, the pin being pushed up and brought into its upper position. In doing this the seat 283 is snapped pas'tthe spring detent 282 and as the pin reaches its uppermost position a second seat 8|1 positioned directly beneath the seat 283 presents itself to the detent which snaps back into this low'er seat and holds the pin in its raised position.

This lifting of the pin takes place during the uninterrupted movement of the drum 212 and immediately following. the head of the raised 'pin strikes against the arm 21| of the lever 258, as shown in Fig. 4, and under the continued movement of the drum, the lever-arm 21| moves outwardly or in a counter clockwise direction.

By means of the connecting parts between lever 258 and the connecting arm 243 the shaft 20| is moved clockwise so that the switch |81 (Fig. 3) is shifted from its full line position into the position illustrated by the dot and dash lines. In the latter position the curved wall |98 of the switch is moved out of working position' and the straight wall on the back side of the switch thereupon forms a continuation for the straight section of the inner guide rail |9|.

During the shifting of parts just described the tested, leaky can is being removed from the testing head and is being moved toward the switch by the conveyor chain. Upon reaching the shifted switch it is then crowded between the wall of the switch on one side and a curved end 32| of a guide rail I322 -which is mounted on the table. The curved end 32| lcooperates with the curved section |-to directv the can into a leaky can lane formed by the spaced guide rails |96, 322.

As soon as the raised pin 28| leaves the inclined end 3|6 of the lever arm 3 .f5 to perform the work of shifting the switch just described, the lever 296 is shifted back into its normal position with the inclined en d 3|6 out from un'der the drum 212. 'I'hree spaced inclined cam projectingwalls 325 (Fig. 10) 'are formed yon the periphery of the drum and'one of these comesinto engagement with a roller 326 mounted on a stud 321 carried in the arm 3|5 of the lever 296. This takes place as soonas the pin leaves the lever end 3|6.

The inclined cam wall 325 forcing against the i out from under coming again in position for blocking the next movement of the lever in the event that the following canis a good can.

It will be observed (Figs. 4 and 10) that the arm 21| is curved at its outer free end and this sliape is such as to hold the switch |91 stationary dur-l ing the passage `of the can from the table into .the leaky can lane. As soon', however, as theV pin has Ipassed beyond the end of this arm the spring 241 draws back the switch |91 and also restores the lever 258 to its normal position of Fig. 10.

The raised pin 28| upon leaving the end of the arm 21| passes a depressing-device which comprises a bracket 33| (Figs. 10 and 12) bolted on the sub-table 45, and ahorizontal shelf 332. This I fLshelf extends over the upper surface of the drum f' 212 and in thepath of the head of the advancing pin 28|. 'I'he shelf 332 is formed with an inclined under surface 333 (Figs. 8 and l2) which when engaged by the head of the pin, forces the pin lealrycan. If the lever end IIB is not brought -beneath `the end of a pin, it remains in its lower position and the switch |91 remains in its normal can directing position as previously described.

It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant avantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and 4it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts with-A out departingfrom the spiritand scope of the invention or sacricing all of its material advantages, the form hereinbefore described bein merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

I claim: 1. An apparatus for testing vacuumized sealed cans having flexible, metallic sections, comprising in combination, a testing head adapted to receive one end of a can to be tested with a said flexible section forming with the head an air-tight chamber formed by the application of a rim of a can, a ilxed electrical contact disposed in said head and projecting centrally of said formed chamber and in alignment with the center of said flexible end sectionDof a positioned can, a second electrical contact also mounted in said head and spaced from said ilxed contact and also projecting in said chamberwhen formed, means for vacuumizing said chamber, an electric circuit completed through the said flexible metallic section when it ilexes a predetermined amount by utilizing the electrical connection betweensaid fixed contact and the ,centerof said flexed metallic section and l also between the second of said contacts and the wall'of -said flexed can end section, said flexure being the result of an internal pressure in the can in excess of the pressure in said vacuumized chamber, adjusting means for determining the -amount of said predetermined iiexure necessary to complete said electric circuit by shifting the position of said xed contact relative to said ilexible Aals end section, a continuously and horizontally operating endless chain conveyor, and a lifter for talring cans from said conveyor andapplying forming an air-,tight chamber between the head.

wauad the nexime end wsu and witmn'said surrounding rim, a fixed electrical contact ldisposed in said head 4and projecting centrally off said formed chamber and in alignment with the center .of said flexible end section of a positioned can. 9;

'aoaasaa yieldable electrical contact also mounted in said head and spaced rom said xed contact and also projecting'in said hamber when formed, an electric circuit adapted to be completed through said flexible end wall by its engagement with said con# tacts, means for vacuumizing said chamber to remove -airpressure from the outside wallof said tion of a lealw can under test for diverting saidleaky can from the apparatus.

3. An apparatus for testing vacuumized sealed 'cans having flexible metallic sections comprising in comblnation a'testing head for the cans to be tested which is adapted to4 receive' a flexible end of a sealed can, said can when received vin said head forming an air-tight chamber between the head wail and the exible end wall, a conveyor for bringing a can into position below said head prior totesting and for removing. the tested can from the head after testing, a lifter foreilecting engagement between the upper exible end of said can and said testing head wall to form anairtight chamber, an electrical contact disposed in said head and projecting centrallyof said formed chamber and in alignment with the center of the ilexible end section of. said positioned can, a second electrical contact also mounted in said head and spaced from said tlxed contact and also f projecting into said chamber when formed, means for vacuumizing said chamber to remove` air pressure from the outside wall of lthe, enclosed end.

said conveyor, and electric means operable throughsaid contactsupon i'lexing of said end section ofra leaky can under test for moving said switch into its leaky can deiiecting position.

4. An apparatus for testing vacuuinized sealed cans having flexible metallic sections comprising in combination a testing head adapted to receive the flexible end of a sealed can. to be tested byengaging the surrounding rim of the can end and forming an 'air-tight chamber betweenthe head wsu and the semble end wsu and within' uidl surrounding rim, means for elevating said can to form said chamber. a n x'eg electrical contact disposed in said head and projecting centrally of, said formed chamber and in augment with the center Vo! said flexible end section ofa positioned can. a yieldable electrical contact also mounted in said head and spaced from said -fixed contact and also projecting in said chamber when formed. means synchronized with saidcan elevating means for vacuumizing said chamber to remove air pressure from the outsidefwall': of said flexible end section to permit ilexing thereof and to permit engagement therewith of both of said contacts in the event that the tested can has leaked and has lost' its vacuum,.and electrical/means operable through said contacts and upon the ilexing of said end section of a leaky can under test for diverting said leaky can from the apparatus.

FRED G. FOSS, 

